Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

BBC Time to stop the license fee - Times have drastically changed

145 replies

StrawPony · 22/06/2024 12:25

In the past I’ve supported the BBC but that was before the availability of numerous streaming services. It just doesn’t make sense anymore, I’m coming at this as someone that is fairly centre ground and not someone that is concerned about bias.

With the cost of living, I’m looking to reduce outgoings. I’ve just told the kids that I’m going to cancel Netflix end of this month as they’ve bumped up the price to £10.99 per month without me opting into that particular plan. The kids are asking me to cancel the BBC instead (2 teens and 1 in primary), they didn’t understand that the beeb is not an opt in/out streaming service so I’ve explained that one. But it’s true, they NEVER watch any stuff on the BBC. I watch the odd thing but if I could opt out, I would and pay for Now or Netflix. AIBU, the BBC was great in its time but now it needs to become subscription only. I don’t listen to BBC radio, I watch the odd drama or major national event (like coverage of the Queens death) but nowhere near enough that I would pay if it was opt in/out.

OP posts:
BobnLen · 22/06/2024 13:37

You can watch the other catch up channels just not the live stuff

Luupr · 22/06/2024 13:36

I haven’t had it for years now, cancel it and just make sure not to watch anything live/bbc player. I’m hoping it does get reformed at some point, not being able to watch any live channels that don’t even have any link to bbc is ridiculous.

DoreenonTill8 · 22/06/2024 13:36

Nectarinesarenice · 22/06/2024 12:31

It’s a bloody cheek that you pay for other packages/streaming services and then have to have a tv license to watch live channels that aren’t even the BBC! How do they continue to get away with this. I don’t watch BBC or live tv exactly for this reason.

Exactly! 'You can't watch any other TV channel without paying us, even if you don't watch us'
The days of the bbc being non biased are long gone!

BobnLen · 22/06/2024 13:36

The BBC isn't a contract though, you can just cancel it, it's not like Sky where I have an 18 month contract so would have to pay to get out of that.

parkrun500club · 22/06/2024 13:35

Iloveyoubut · 22/06/2024 13:33

but if you don’t partake in what the BBC does, why should you pay for it.

The same argument goes for many taxes.

IgnoranceNotOk · 22/06/2024 13:34

I had hoped that when mine stopped watching CBeebies we’d be able to get rid but as DH watches football - 99% of the time on other channels - were stuck paying it forever!!

Iloveyoubut · 22/06/2024 13:33

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Previously banned poster.

but if you don’t partake in what the BBC does, why should you pay for it.

parkrun500club · 22/06/2024 13:32

Hedgeoffressian · 22/06/2024 12:35

I object to paying the licence fee because the BBC is so blatantly left wing. It’s almost like another political party. It’s got huge influence as the UKs main tv broadcaster and I feel it uses its power to promote certain ideologies.

Yes so left wing that it constantly gives Nigel Farage a platform!

I didn't think that non payment was a criminal offence anymore, I thought it was a civil wrong. It was something that has been discussed for quite a few years but clearly the Tories did nothing about it, despite moaning about the licence constantly.

Barbadossunset · 22/06/2024 13:29

allmyown · 22/06/2024 13:14

This. How are your kids going to revise for their GCSEs without BBC bitesize? It is the best free educational resource in the country. And many schools also rely on it. Where else am I going to get the videos and diagrams I show my class?

Why can’t it be by subscription like Netflix etc? If it’s so good then I’m sure there’ll be no shortage of subscribers.

Ridley4 · 22/06/2024 13:27

I really disagree. I don’t watch as much bbc programmes as I used to but will always watch I player and listen to bbc radio an awful lot. I have access to Netflix, Disney and Amazon and think their content is pretty rubbish a lot of the time

scalt · 22/06/2024 13:26

The BBC is woke, professional liars, and they kept saying “corrrrrronavirus” in 2020.

BobnLen · 22/06/2024 13:25

Anyone that doesn't want to watch what the licence covers can just cancel it, so just do that, it will probably still be here in 5 years time so that's all you can do.

TemporalMechanic · 22/06/2024 13:24

YANBU

These threads always attract people with the dubious argument that the content is so good and such great value for money that everyone should be happy to pay for it even if they never watch/access any of it and just want to watch Channel 4 live.

It's outdated and should be scrapped. If the BBC's content really is good enough, it'll survive on a subscription-only model. If it's not, then time for it to go.

(The promotion of anti-woman gender ideology was reason enough for me to stop paying. I have Amazon Prime - between that and non-BBC on-demand content, I don't miss live TV at all.)

Changingplace · 22/06/2024 13:19

BobnLen · 22/06/2024 13:17

They are run by whatever government is in, Labour will keep the licence, Tories were on about getting rid of it, it's in Reforms contract to scrap the licence

Whichever government comes in the licence renewal will be in parliament for discussion in 2027, but it’s run independently from government under a royal charter.

Hazelville · 22/06/2024 13:19

You don’t have to pay for it if you don’t want it. I listen to the radio a lot and it is worth it to me for that along, along with events like Wimbledon and the Olympics.

BobnLen · 22/06/2024 13:18

As Labour will most likely be in government in 2027, I doubt it will change much

cardibach · 22/06/2024 13:18

BobnLen · 22/06/2024 13:17

They are run by whatever government is in, Labour will keep the licence, Tories were on about getting rid of it, it's in Reforms contract to scrap the licence

And which government has been in for 14 years? They lean Tory.
Actually the Government could keep it unpolitical by who they appoint to key roles, but the current lot haven’t.

Changingplace · 22/06/2024 13:17

If you don’t watch live tv or anything on the BBC just cancel your licence, it’s absolutely fine to.

The licence fee will be up for renewal in parliament in 2027, there will be lots of discussion and I imagine a public consultation around its future, if it’s something you’re interested in having your say on then do so then whatever your viewpoint.

BobnLen · 22/06/2024 13:17

cardibach · 22/06/2024 13:12

True. But since they are run by actual Tories, I think suggesting they are left wing biased is bonkers.

They are run by whatever government is in, Labour will keep the licence, Tories were on about getting rid of it, it's in Reforms contract to scrap the licence

allmyown · 22/06/2024 13:14

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Previously banned poster.

This. How are your kids going to revise for their GCSEs without BBC bitesize? It is the best free educational resource in the country. And many schools also rely on it. Where else am I going to get the videos and diagrams I show my class?

gamerchick · 22/06/2024 13:14

The BBC lies. I watched recently as they reported on a situation that's happening where I work. They minimised and lied. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

I mean I knew they were a bit shady but seeing it with your own eyes is something else

Changingplace · 22/06/2024 13:12

Hedgeoffressian · 22/06/2024 12:35

I object to paying the licence fee because the BBC is so blatantly left wing. It’s almost like another political party. It’s got huge influence as the UKs main tv broadcaster and I feel it uses its power to promote certain ideologies.

Which is so funny because half the time people say it’s too right wing, especially recently giving a voice to Farage, and supporting the government- it’s almost like it gives a voice to both sides…

cardibach · 22/06/2024 13:12

Isitsixoclockalready · 22/06/2024 13:08

They get accused of bias from all sides.

True. But since they are run by actual Tories, I think suggesting they are left wing biased is bonkers.

Isitsixoclockalready · 22/06/2024 13:08

Hedgeoffressian · 22/06/2024 12:35

I object to paying the licence fee because the BBC is so blatantly left wing. It’s almost like another political party. It’s got huge influence as the UKs main tv broadcaster and I feel it uses its power to promote certain ideologies.

They get accused of bias from all sides.

GingerReader · 22/06/2024 13:07

I would be happy to help fund the BBC (as a person who can afford it) if it was called something like “BBC culture donation” or something. Calling it a tv license and being aggressive to those who don’t use bbc tv or who can’t afford it is ridiculous and outdated. Calling it a tv lisence also makes people think it’s just for bbc tv and not all the other great stuff bbc has like others have pointed out.